Twenty-five years after the chaotic future was hinted in The Terminator, director McG finally gave us an intimate look at what the world has really become.

When the beginning of the movie cued to the year 2018, a short action sequence ensues with the outcome ending badly for the humans. But what we got to see for the first time was the post-apocalyptic lives of the survivors and their relentless war against the artificial intelligence of endoskeletons.

Judgement Day came and went, leaving Earth in a bleak, desolate and barren state. And that feeling of solitary desperation really transcended through the screen into the hearts of its audience. When John first went into a life-and-death battle with a Terminator, the scuffle looked so real that it took its audience into its world. And this is where director McG really shone.

Long time collaborating writers John D Brancato and Michael Ferris both return for seconds. Their greatest achievement was creating a mystery that was Marcus Wright, in which the audience couldn’t help but guess till the end which side he belonged to.

But their greatest failure, apart from derailing once too often from the main storyline, was not having enough of John Connor’s presence in the whole movie as he was getting closer and closer to becoming “the one”. Because of that, Bale seemed to be playing second fiddle to Worthington instead (a déjà vu for Bale).

As for the few female characters, they also lacked soul with their limited lines. The little girl, Star, didn’t speak at all. Howard could pass as a cyborg with her disappointingly emotionless portrayal – good thing she has that big bump on her tummy that proved otherwise. And Bloodgood just looked like a miscast.

Nevertheless, it was still a story well told and well directed. The action and special effects were beautifully created and executed. And there were even enough robots here to challenge the upcoming Transformers movie.

Rating: 7 / 10

(all images from imdb.com)